Story by Bruce Chahwanda, Political Editor
HARARE-THE Zimbabwe Media Policy is aimed at promoting a vibrant, diverse and independent media sector anchored on six strategic pillars.
These include Economic sustainability, digital transformation and innovation, media development and capacity building, media sovereignty and regulation, access to information and knowledge and local content promotion.
The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Dr Jenfan Muswere says the pillars of the Media Policy will enable the media to defend the country’s image, sovereignty and territorial integrity while transforming the media’s landscape through development of modern, efficient and sustainable infrastructure.
“The Policy Vision is to create a vibrant, diverse and inclusive media sector that promotes local narrative shaping, empowers Zimbabweans to participate in national development, and advances national interests for the achievement of an upper middle-income society by 2030. Its Mission is to foster a vibrant media sector that promotes national consciousness, defends, upholds, and promotes Zimbabwe’s interests and aspirations worldwide, while showcasing its rich cultural heritage,” he said.
Stakeholders say the Zimbabwe Media Policy, which has been long overdue, will contribute towards developing a vibrant media industry that contributes significantly to economic growth anchored on promoting the country’s values, interests and identity.
”We are happy that finally we have this policy, which will enable the transformation of the media sector. It has been long overdue,” ZUJ Secretary General, Mr Perfect Hlongwane said.
“This is commendable, and it will go a long way towards unlocking value for the sector. ZBC has done very well in terms of digitising some of its studios which enhances quality outcomes,” ZBC Board Chairperson, Ms Helliate Rushwaya said.
“The policy will guide the use of artificial intelligence in the industry while also unlocking funding for content creators and media houses,” Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Chairperson, Mr Caston Matewu said.
“We are happy to have this policy in place as media houses were coming up with their own without national document. This development will inform stakeholders on the path government is taking towards promoting media diversity,” ZMC Chairperson, Professor Ruby Magosvongwe said.
The media policy covers the framework, strategic pillars and policy guidelines, general policy issues, such as creation of a media fund, co-regulation, quality assurance, sexual harassment in media houses and general policy issues pertaining to foreign journalists, among others.
Implementation of the policy framework will require formation of Thematic Working Groups, Coordination Structure of a Media Sector Inter-Ministerial Committee, A Media Sector Steering Committee and Resource Mobilisation.
